During extra-oral soft tissue assessment, which item is examined?

• A. Tooth shade
• B. Occlusal wear
• C. Bone density
• D. Skin colour, presence of blemishes and swelling

Answer: (D)

In extra-oral soft tissue assessment you’re looking at the outer facial tissues surrounding the mouth to evaluate their appearance and condition. The key focus is the skin color, any blemishes, and swelling, as these clues can signal local issues or systemic health problems and help spot early signs of disease. This area is about what you can see and feel on the outside of the mouth and face, not about the teeth or the bone behind them. For example, normal skin should have consistent color and texture, with no unexpected lumps or lesions; any changes like discoloration, rashes, ulcers, or swelling warrant documentation and possibly a referral. The other options relate to intra-oral or radiographic aspects: tooth shade and occlusal wear pertain to the teeth themselves, while bone density concerns the underlying bone and is usually assessed with imaging or palpation rather than soft tissue inspection.